BioWales is the signature event for the Welsh Life Sciences Sector. The event highlights the major research and development activity areas in Welsh industry, academia and the NHS to a global audience. BioWales provides an opportunity for one-to-one technology brokerage meetings to discuss potential collaborations, licensing and manufacturing deals. BioWales 2012 is part of a programme of interventions designed to create a sense of vitality and confidence within Wales and better perception of Wales outside it.

The Conference is the nucleus of BioWales, and there is an international exhibition featuring visitors from as far afield as China and Cuba, while the brokerage event puts delegates together in speed-dating style to create business opportunities. Once the work is done, there is a Gala Dinner and the event also hosts for the first time the Medilink National Life Sciences Awards, featuring entertainment from the fabulous Classical Brit Award-winning Welsh choir Only Men Aloud.

Amongst the eminent names presenting to the international Conference delegates will be Professor Sir Christopher Evans, Chairman of the Welsh Government's Life Science Sector Panel, who will unveil the new and vibrant life science strategic direction for Wales. Delivering the opening address will be Professor Sir Richard Sykes, Former Chairman of GlaxoSmithKlein, and Professor Trevor Jones, Former Director General of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry will discuss the current and future strategic direction of the pharmaceutical industry and the role of the SME business community.

Sir Chris Evans said: "In this 10^th anniversary year we've assembled an impressive and inspiring collection of life science experience and expertise that reflect perfectly our key focuses of Innovation, Translation and Commercialisation. It will be a stimulating two days, and we know that through it, contacts will be enhanced and business will be created."

In the Innovation section on day one Cardiff University's Chris McGuigan will showcase how technology that was developed within his lab resulted in a $2.5bn deal. John Jeans of the Medical Research Council Technology will speak on ‘Public Funding of Innovation in Life Sciences' and the challenges it faces in the future.

While Nick Thomas of GE Healthcare makes a presentation on ‘Innovating Pre-Clinical Drug Development; Towards an Integrated Approach to Investigate Toxicology in Human Models'.

Other notable speakers include Rowan Gardner from Biolauncher, who will outline ‘New Models for BioScience Innovation'; David Bott, Director of Innovation Programmes, Technology Strategy Board; and Ian James, Director A4P Consulting (former Pfzier)

Day two features Translation and Michael Hunt, CEO at ReNeuron will outline developments in the use of stem cells therapies for stroke patients. Professor Jonathan Bisson, Clinical Director at NISCHR AHSC will talk on bridging the gap between the NHS and business, and there will be contributions from Berwyn Clarke, Founder of Lab 21, and from the Institute of Life Science.

Commercialisation is another theme of day two when, Michael Thompson of Biomet discusses working with the NHS, Kenneth Powell of Q Chip presents ‘Turning Good Science into Commercial Success - Case Histories from Biotechnology', and there are planned panel discussions on finance involving industry figures.

To find out more, and to register now, please go to www.biowalesevent.com

Further information: Tim Powell at 07939571553

This year BioWales celebrates its 10th anniversary with an international Life Sciences event that features a Conference programme of prestigious industry speakers, an Exhibition of industry and academia to showcase the innovative research and development taking place in Wales, and a Brokerage event that and brings together industry professionals to make valuable business connections in a speed dating style. www.biowalesevent.com

The Medilink UK Healthcare Business Awards on March 13^th will recognise some of the world's most pioneering technologies in an event that celebrates cutting edge technologies, outstanding business achievements and international success across the UK's Life Sciences sector.

There are four shortlisted Welsh companies in the running for the awards:

Innovation Award - ConvaTec for their AQUACEL® Surgical cover dressings that address the major clinical and economic challenges of skin blistering, infection and delayed discharge.

Partnership with the NHS Award - Flexicare for working closely with the NHS and the hospitals they supply to produce their unique ‘Hall Lock' system which uses shapes and colours to prevent accidental ‘wrong-route' injections.

Outstanding Achievement Award - Biotec Services who provide temperature controlled pharmaceutical services and have experienced exceptional growth over the last three years.

Export Achievement Award - Chromogenex designer and manufacturer of laser and light based systems for the cosmetic and medical markets worldwide who have seen incredible export growth over the last year.

The two day BioWales conference is based on the key pillars of Innovation; Translation and Commercialisation, and amongst the names appearing are former Chairman of GlaxoSmithKline Sir Richard Sykes, who will provide the event's opening address, and Professor Trevor Jones, Director-General of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. The 2012 conference programme has been put together by the body which advises Welsh Government on its life science strategy, the Life Science Sector Panel, headed by biotech entrepreneur and founder of Merlin Biosciences Professor Sir Chris Evans, who will be another keynote speaker at the event.

In addition to the inspirational conference, there is an exhibition of industry and academia to showcase the innovative research and development taking place in Wales, and a brokerage event that brings together industry professionals to make valuable business connections in a speed dating style.

The Awards will be held as part of a Gala Dinner for around 500 leading professionals from the medical technology and Life Sciences sector, UK government, research institutes and overseas organisations, with entertainment provided by the Classical Brit Award-winning Welsh choir, Only Men Aloud.

To register for BioWales 2012 please go to http://www.biowalesevent.com/

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Disease monitoring tests must be sure to engage and motivate the patient on an ongoing basis, and provide results that enable the appropriate self-management action to be taken.  This is a replay of the consumer pregnancy test, in which the technology had to be appealing and simple enough to win sales, while the implications of the results were always unambiguous!  The diagnostics industry needs to come up with not only improved diagnostic technology, but also integrated health management systems that use the technology to deliver real benefits to patients and health care providers.”   

In addition to Diagnosing Success with speakers such as Huw Summers, Professor of Nanotechnology for Health, Swansea University, the conference also covered the themes of Digital Health, with a presentation by David Ford, Head of the e-health Industries Innovation Centre in Swansea which has made Wales a pioneer in e-health support, and Clinical Engagement, where speakers included Mirella Marlow from NICE..

There was also the annual Future Watch,  throwing a spotlight on new technologies and commercial ventures in Welsh life sciences, and Securing Investment, outlining venture capital and financial support in life sciences. The event also featured a busy programme of Workshops, an exhibition of over 40 companies and institutions, and a biopartnering event that contained over 450 structured meetings.

BioWales was a Welsh Assembly Government event programmed by MediWales and produced by Orchard Media and Events Group.
             
The life sciences in Wales are represented by 330 companies,. The sector has grown in Wales by over 19% in the last three years, and there are world-class facilities and people operating in this country.  Wales is home to the largest cluster of in-vitro diagnostic companies in the UK while Cardiff University’s Wound Healing Research Unit (WHRU) has the distinction of being the second largest specialist wound healing centre in the world. In the field of Medical Technology, Biomet’s largest European subsidiary is in Bridgend and Arjo Huntleigh, the largest manufacturer of foetal monitors in the UK, is based in Cardiff.